Door check and closer



Sept. 27, 1949. MASSON 2,483,142

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER Filed Sept. 12, 1946 IIIIIZIYIIWYIZ 1 3-: 20 ,6 iii 44 g g 5 x venyror m 5 E A.Masson Aacrn' Patented Sept. 27, 1949 Frederick Albert Masson,

Canad Winnipeg, Manitoba, a

Application September 12, 1946, Serial No. 696,389

1 Claim.

The majority of door checks, at present on the market, are of the oil type and permit the door to swing open quickly. On the return movement of the door the speed of closing can be regulated either fast or slow. The operation is accomplished by compressing a spring on the door opening movement and this Spring returns the door while the return speed is governed by the movement of oil under pressure of the spring.

The above mentioned door checks, when new and properly adjusted, work well, but in time, the working parts wear and the oil depreciates depositing heavy scum with the result that the checks are continually requiring adjustment or repairs.

. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mechanically operated check, thus eliminating the oil, and to construct the various parts principally of stampings so that they can be readily produced and assembled in quantity production at low cost and can be quickly repaired or replaced.

A further object of the invention is to construct the device so that it may be used for either right or left handed doors or it may be used on the door or on the door framework.

A further object of the invention is to provide regulating means for the closing speed of the door and said means adjustable for varying weights of doors.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to increase the power of the check to operate the latch of the door and insure the final closmg.

A further object of the invention is to provide a silently operable check so that it can be used in hospitals or places where quietness is essential.

A further object of the invention is to design the construction of the door check for quick insertion or removal of the spring and said spring inserted as a unit with built up pressure for ample power operation of the device and without the necessity of a covering spring barrel.

A still further object of the invention is to enclose the mechanical parts within a dust proof casing and with a removable cover so that the working parts can be exposed for adjustment, cleaning or replacement while on the door.

With the above important and other minor objects in view which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

I spaced from each Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper cornor of a door frame and door showing the check in position. a

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2, Figure 1.

'Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4, Figure 3. v

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55, Figure 2.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

A door framework i encloses a door 2 hinged at 3 to the framework. The invention, now to be describedis located on the upper right hand side of the door.

An angle shaped plate-has the vertical portion l thereof fastened to the door by screws 5 at each end. The horizontal portion 6 is of an irregular shape as shownh-y the outline in Figures 2 and 4 and the edges thereof are turned up as indicated at l. The angle shaped plate is designed to be punched out and shaped in one operation.

A cover member 8 of sheet metal is bent in a Z shape as shown in Figure 3. The upper edge 9 is received against the upper face of the plate 4 and is fastened thereto by screws ID. The sides ll of the member 8 conform to the shape of the plate 6 so that the lower edges thereof are received against the upward extension 1 and are fastened thereto by screws l2. This cover member is adapted to be pressed in one operation. The

- member 8 and the angle shaped plate form a dust proof casing.

The check mechanism is carried by a framework comprising two horizontal plates l3 and I4. These plates are punched from flat metal and are other and connected by three posts it and a pair of rectangular shaped standards It. One of the standards has a central extension !B for a purpose later explained.

The upper plate I3 is fastened to the posts and against shoulders on the posts. The lower extending ends of the posts then pass through holes in the plate 6 and nuts 20 are screwed on thereunder to hold the framework rigid with the check casing.

A shaft 2| passes through the casing and the framework and where it passes through the framework a reinforcing plate 22 is spot welded to the plates l3 and M to provide a wider bearing for the shaft. Both ends of the shaft are squared and slightly down from the center, a stud 23 is carried by the shaft to hook on to the center end of a spiral flat spring 24. This spring is sold by the manufacturer in a tightly wound condition with an annular heavy wire 25 therearound. The ends of this heavy wire are slightly spaced as at 23. The spring and wire are inserted complete within the check, are held in position by the posts l5, while the space 26 receives the extension it, previously mentioned.

A flat worm wheel 21 is slidably received on the shaft 2 overlies the coil spring, and the upper face carries a pawl 28 which is pivotally fastened to the worm gear at 29. A ratchet 30 is fastened to the shaft 2| by a pin 3|, overlies the worm gear, and the teeth are adapted to receive the pawl 28. A plate 3'2. is slidably received on the shaft 2!, above the ratchet, and is provided withan arm 33 having a slot 34 which receives a pin 35 extending upward from the pawl 28. A coil spring 36 encircles the shaft 2| and is positioned between the plate 3 and the plate 32 to hold the latter plate firmly against the ratchet 30.

A horizontal shaft 3'! is supported in bearings 38 from the standards l6, suitable screws 39 being provided in the standards to hold the bearings firmly. This shaft has a small portion cut with worm threads so that it meshes with the worm wheel 21. Sleeves 43 are carried by the shaft 31, one being fixed to said shaft and the other carrying a, disc 42 and slidable on said shaft. Strap shaped springs, centrally provided with semicylindrical weights 4|, have the ends thereof secured to said sleeves 43 in equi-spaced relation therearound so that, when the shaft 31 is rotated, the weights will move outwardly under centrifugal force and draw the disc inwardly along the shaft toward the opposite sleeve. pivotally mounted on the plate I4 below the shaft 31 and the upper end of this lever is provided with a small leather face which is positioned to contact the face of the disc 42. In the rotation of the shaft 3'! the disc 42 is moved towards the leather and when. in contact the friction of same against. the disc face regulates the speed of the shaft 3! and so forms a governor. A winged screw 44 screws through the bottom of the casing, passes through a hole in the plate l4 and the end contacts the opposite end of the Z-shaped lever 43. When this winged screw is screwed up, the leather moves closer towards the disc 42, and when the winged screw is screwed down, a spring 45 moves the leather away from the disc 42 so that the winged screw 44 can regulate or vary the set speed of the shaft 31. Once the speed is set, a lock nut 45, carried by the winged screw can be tightened a ainst the lower part of the casing.

The upper end of the shaft 2|, above the casing, receives a washer 4i and then, a split arm 48 which is locked to the square end of the shaft by a bolt 49 passing across the split arm. The opposite end of the arm is pivoted at 53 to an adjustable arm 31 and this arm is pivoted to a bracket 52 carried by the upper part of the door frame. Before these arms are connected, the shaft 2| is turned by a wrench or other suitable tool to wind 2. number of coils of the spring thereon. The arms are then attached.

In operation, when the door is opened, the movement produces a clockwise movement of the arm 48 which increases the pressure on the spring 24. At this time it might be mentioned that the outer end of the spring is frictionally held by the A Z-shaped lever 43 is heavy wire 25. In this movement the shaft 2| turns and also the ratchet wheel 30. As the spring 36 is pressing the plate 32 against the ratchet wheel, this plate also turns and accordingly, the pin 35 moves outward in the slot 34 and releases the pawl 23 from the ratchet. When the pin 35 reaches the end of the slot the plate 32 stops while the shaft 2| continues to turn. This prevents the click which would be caused by the pawl passing over the ratchet teeth. When the manual pressure is released from the door, the built up pressure in the spring 24 turns the shaft 2| in the opposite direction. Accordingly the ratchet in turning with this shaft turns the plate 32 and the pin 35 returns down the slot 34 and engages the pawl 23 with the ratchet wheel 30. The power is then transmitted from the spring to the work gear 2'! and this, in turn, operates the governor shaft 3'! at the speed set by the winged screw 44. By this arrangement the door starts to shut at the speed set by the governor. When the door is at the position of closure the resistance of the latch (not shown) has a tendency to stop further movement of the door. At this time the momentum of the governor continues the rotation thereof and this relieves the spring from the work of driving same. Accordingly all the power of the spring is turning the shaft 2| and as the levers A38 and 5| are approaching their dead-center position this power is increased sev eral times and concentrated against the door to operate the latch and positively shut the door.

As all flat portions of'this check are made from sheet metal, stamped into shape and the holes punched, the device readily lends itself to cheap quantity production. Further, by carefully designing all the various parts, they readily slip together without requiring special tools and accordingly, the assembling of same is speedy. The spring, when bought from the manufacturer is tightly wound and encircled by the heavy wire for shipping convenience. No change is made to this arrangement and it is easily slipped into position. The heavy wire takes the place of the usual casing for the spring and at the same time, due to the spring being tightly wound, more power is transmitted to the shaft 2| with only a few turns instead of a large number of turns as would be required if the spring was loose in a container. Should any of the parts wear and cause trouble, the casing construction permits the cover to be removed and-the working parts are all exposed for repairs while the device is on the door. If replacements are required, the various parts are very cheaply made and accordingly will not be costly. If a door having an opposite swing is to be controlled, the check is simply turned upside down and the'arm 48 connected to the opposite end of the shaft 25. The only difference in the operation will be that the adjustment of the gOV- ernor is on the top instead of at the bottom. The check may be fastened to the door frame in a similar manner if required. As the shaft 2! only moves through an arc of about 98 very little oil for lubrication is required by the various parts and accordingly, the check will not be discolored by leaking oil or grease as so often occurs in the oil operated checks and the check itself will last indefinitely. If the door is light, only a few coils of the spring are required on the shaft 25. If the door is heavy, the shaft 2% is just wound a little tighter before the arm 48 is attached. Should it be necessary to hold the door open, it would be a. simple matter to swing the door to the position required, release the lock nut 46 and then screw up the winged bolt 44. This will lock the governor and the spring will be unable to operate the mechanism.

What I claim as my invention is:

In a door check: a casing adapted to be secured to a door and including a removable cover; an open framework supported by said casing; a shaft passing through said above assembly and carried by said framework; a spring connected to and adapted to drive said shaft when said door is released after being manually opened and be tightened when said door is opened; a ratchet supported by said framework and driven by said shaft; a governor rotatably mounted in said framework; driving means for driving said governor, said driving means including a pawl normally engaging said ratchet whereby said governor will be driven from said ratchet; a primary lever connected to said shaft; a, secondary lever pivotally connected to said primary lever and adapted to be secured to a frame for said door; means frictionally operable by the movement of said ratchet for moving said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, in the spring tightening movement of said shaft, and for re-conneoting said pawl with said ratchet in the reverse movement of said shaft.

FREDERICK ALBERT MASSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

